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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeasure B Palm DesertIMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE "B" On June 23, 2022, the City Council unanimously voted to place Advisory Measure B on the November 8, 2022 general municipal election ballot. Advisory Measure B is for advisory purposes only and will not in any manner amend current City law The City of Palm Desert is currently comprised of two districts and five Council Members that each serve four-year terms. District 1 includes the area surrounding the Civic Center which contains approximately 20 percent of the City's population. Voters in District 1 elect one City Council Member every four years. District 2 contains the remaining 80 percent of the City's population, with District 2 voters electing a total of four City Council Members — two Councilmembers are elected every two years. This Advisory Measure would gather voter input on whether the City Council should expand the number of districts from two to five districts. Specifically, the Advisory Measure asks voters whether District 2 should be divided into four smaller districts (that each represent approximately 20 percent of the City's population), with voters in each district electing one City Council Member from the district they reside in. The division of District 2 into four smaller districts, in addition to District 1, would increase the total number of districts in the City to five. Each of these five districts would represent approximately 20 percent of the City's population. A "yes" vote on Advisory Measure B will recommend dividing District 2 into four smaller districts to create a total of five districts, with voters from each district electing a Council Member from the district they reside in. A "no" vote on Advisory Measure B will not recommend dividing District 2 into four smaller districts to create a total of five districts, with voters from each district electing a Council Member from the district they reside in. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Advisory Measure B. If you desire a copy of the Advisory Measure, please call the City's elections official at (760) 776-6402 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. By: ROBERT W. HARGREAVES City Attorney 33-9002-M6 ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE "B" REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE "B" Districts elect leaders who represent the values of the community. VOTE NO on MEASURE B. PROTECT YOUR VOTES! Remaining at -large cities often don't. KEEP YOUR FOUR COUNCILMEMBERS ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU Palm Desert is wonderful and successful thanks to residents, families, AND OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. students, and businesses. We care for our neighbors and embrace the diverse changes measured in the Census. We solve problems as a team Palm Desert is a vibrant and diverse community. Addressing both based on yourvotes. neighborhood and citywide opportunities requires Councilmembers who are accountable to everyone, NOT just a small pocket of people. YES on Measure B strengthens Palm Desert and values the challenges facing our different neighborhoods. Our quality of living depends on our community working together. Districts reflect community values. Districts elect Councilmembers with MEASURE B WILL DIVIDE US AND TAKE AWAY OUR VOTING shared experiences reflecting the needs of our neighbors. They collaborate RIGHTS. on your concerns for public safety, reporting adverse weather, unsafe traffic and more. When sand, wind or flooding close streets, they can harm Claims that 5 districts will improve our city are WRONG! families and businesses in entire neighborhoods. Districts can save lives False Claim: "Now, a few votes can put the wrong person in office" and promote business. p g DRIVING PAST A NEIGHBORHOOD IS DIFFERENT THAN LIVING THERE. • At -large elections allow polarizing candidates to win with only a few votes. This is not representation. This is how divisiveness persists. • Districts get the money out of politics. At -large cities that think $4,900 campaign donation limits are unfair, often favor special interests over residents. It is far more affordable for a good community leader to run in their neighborhood than in the entire city. • We already have districts. The El Paseo Business District establishes their different economic interests from other Palm Desert merchants. We have many HOAs and gated communities. Residents have created these smaller districts within the city with geographic and economic differences. • Districts are not new. We elect Federal, State and County representatives by district. We elect representatives on School, Healthcare and Water Districts. Your vote is a precious resource. YES on B so your voice will BE heard loud and clear. YES on B for equitable representation. By: Karina Quintanilla Councilmember, District 1 • TRUTH: It's just the opposite. With small districts, fewer people determine results making it EASIER to elect special interest candidates. • False Claim: "Districts get the money out of politics" • TRUTH: Districts lead to more money in politics and back -room dealmaking. In other cities, candidates are raising $100,000 or more for campaigns in small districts. We don't want that in Palm Desert. Districts would divide neighborhoods and Palm Desert's successful and unified focus on city-wide issues: public safety, economic development, growing the CSU campus, fiscal responsibility, and maintaining the beauty of our ENTIRE city. We MUST work together. Today you have four votes and four representatives. REDUCING your vote to only ONE representative, every four years is NOT better and it's NOT fair. It reduces your voice! Keep Palm Desert united. PROTECT YOUR VOTING RIGHTS. DON'T LET YOUR VOTES BE TAKEN FROM YOU! VOTE NO on MEASURE B By: Kathleen Kelly, Councilmember Gina Nestande, Councilmember Jan C. Harnik, Mayor Sabby Jonathan, Mayor Pro Tempore 33-9002-M7 ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE "B" REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE "B" PROTECT YOUR VOTING RIGHTS! VOTE NO►► Don't be fooled! Currently, voters in District 2 vote for four of the five councilmembers. You get FOUR VOTES. Breaking Palm Desert into 5 districts leaves you with JUST ONE VOTE! This would REDUCE your influence and your voice! • A core value of your city council has always been to serve the entire city equally. • Councilmembers who are accountable to all voters keep a citywide focus. • The issues key to your lives demand that we keep our citywide focus. • Key examples are the maintenance of our excellent roads and premier parks; community programs for our residents and businesses; the buildout of the San Pablo corridor; the successful and ongoing effort to expand the CSU campus; planning for north Palm Desert's future with the development of additional parks and a new fire station; and well -trained dependable public safety and first responders. • Councilmembers catering to small districts would destroy our successful citywide focus. • Good government has attracted many people to Palm Desert. Let's not ruin what has worked!! • Districts are NOT more democratic. Taking away your votes and preventing you from choosing the best candidates is NOTdemocracy. • Keep your representatives accountable. Don't divide Palm Desert. Vote NO to keep your right to vote for FOUR, not one, Councilmember. Vote NO to keep Palm Desert united. Vote NO on election day! By: Kathleen Kelly, Council Member Gina Nestande, Council Member Jan C. Harnik, Mayor Sabby Jonathan, Mayor Pro Tern Councilmembers directly impact quality of life through walkable neighborhoods, community events, and public health for those who live, work, study and play in Palm Desert. We experience our city in different ways. Impacts of sand storms and health issues have been repeatedly ignored. Why? Most Councilmembers have lived in one neighborhood in South Palm Desert. While at -large elections do not solve these problems, they do help some officials stay in office. Districts support opportunity, embracing neighbors, families, visitors, and workers. Districts make us all stronger, not just those who can attend meetings during work hours. This inclusion produces robust, well rounded solutions that do not overlook obvious issues. Measure B elevates the community's values. We need the voices of our businesses and employees of all types. DRIVING PAST A NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT THE SAME AS LIVING OR WORKING THERE. Working families, people on limited incomes, without investment portfolios suffered most. YES on Measure B for stronger leaders. One official's 3rd place victory came by only 45 votes in a city of 50,000, a mere 15.8% of votes. At the first opportunity, voters in our new Civic Center district gave a new candidate 61% of votes. Voters decided Palm Desert deserves better than the at - large system which sabotaged public health experts. This cost lives and damaged our economy. You deserve leaders who truly care. Yes on B for quality leaders who value public health, education and community values. YES on Measure B brings City Hall to YOU. By: Van G. Tanner, Former Mayor Megan Beaman Jacinto, Attorney & Business Owner Carmen Rubio, Business Owner & Resident Charles Ara, Pres PDG Dems Shirley J Ara, Resident Retired 33-9002-M8